The Elger Hotel (or Egler’s Place) – later renamed as the Darlington Hotel – was erected as early as the 1820’s. It became a popular stopping place for travelers passing through on stage coaches – and later the railroads. The hotel burned down on several occasions including in about 1890. It was replaced with a three-story wooden structure (shown above in front) in the mid-1890’s, and a large brick addition was added to the rear of the building a few years later. The establishment became quite popular after Edward W. Cole took over ownership in about 1903. The restaurant and social/dance hall on the first floor were said to be packed on many evenings. When Cole, a well-known automobile enthusiast, passed away in November 1918 his widow managed the hotel for a few years until selling it to Joseph Cashbaugh. The hotel was lost to another devastating fire during the early morning of Friday, October 2, 1925. There was talk of rebuilding the hotel but it never came to fruition. (c1910) Full Size